Q & A with Bobby Ryan

As Ottawa Senators training camp opened with medicals and fitness testing Wednesday, many eyes were on newcomer Bobby Ryan.

Ryan, who is expected to play on the Senators top line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek during the 2013-14 season, was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks this summer, in a trade for Jakob Silfverberg, prospect Stefan Noesen and a first-round draft choice.

Ryan is a perennial 30-goal scorer, but beyond his on-ice skill, he also brings a sense of humour and plenty of personality to the Senators’ dressing room.

Below is an edited transcript of his first Q & A session with Ottawa reporters.

Q: Is it nice to officially get things underway in Ottawa?

A: Yeah, absolutely. It’s a long day, but as much as you dread this first day of the year, it’s nice to have (medicals and fitness tests) done and then we can focus on the good things, which is getting on the ice with the guys.

Q: How much are you looking forward to playing on a line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek?

A: Quite a bit. In talking to both of them, and Spezza a lot more, during the summer, there is lot of excitement building up about getting on the ice and getting started and trying to figure each other out a little bit through camp. I’ve been skating with them (in scrimmages) for the past few days and we’ve got the makings of great potential.

Q: What was the bonding experience like, getting to know the other players?

A: It’s easy. Hockey is a small world and I had talked to most of the guys before I came here. I developed a relationship with quite a few of the guys. It doesn’t take a long time once you get into things and you’re all worried about the same things. You cross paths with guys so many times, it’s very seamless, really.

Q: Is it a room with some bromance going on?

A: I don’t know if there are any bromances forming yet. Maybe outside of Smitty (Zack Smith) and (Jim) O’Brien. I think I will let the rest develop, but those are the only two boy band members I’ve seen.

Q: During the testing, which test has been the most challenging?

A: They all suck. There is no way around it. There are a lot of agility things that I have never even seen before. For the most part, I think they went pretty well. I’m happy, but more happy to be put it behind me and look forward.

Q: You shot a video on the street, with a bunch of people, asking if they knew who you were. How did you feel about that?

A: I think I expected (the reaction I received), especially being in the area we were in. It seemed a little different from the downtown area. I don’t know quite how many people (the Senators) thought were going to recognize me … about the right number for me, about 10 per cent, is what it came down to.

Q: Was it your idea or the team’s idea?

A: Definitely wasn’t mine. The team came up with that one. And I was kind of iffy about it, because I wasn’t sure how it was going to translate, or appear to people. It came out great, I think. It showed a lot of things. The response has been overwhelming on Twitter and things like that. As long as people are having fun with it and enjoying it, we did our jobs right.”

Q: When you come to Ottawa you are under more of a spotlight (than in Anaheim). Are you looking forward to that experience?

A: Yeah, absolutely, I am. I’m going to embrace it. It’s going to be like night and day and where I came from and what I’ve experienced for the past six years. I think it’s something that keeps you focused. It’s something that keeps your mind on the game at all times and I might have needed that push this year.”

Q: Will you be getting involved in charities?

A: There are a couple that I’ve sat down and talked about and done some donations already, but I haven’t put my name down yet. I’m just going to wait to get through this (training camp) and have a little feeling out process for all the foundations and where I want to go. But I have always been involved in the community in Anaheim and I play on continuing that here. Absolutely.

Q: You said you didn’t want to be known as (Daniel) Alfredsson’s replacement. What do you want to be known as?

A: I’m not sure, either. I just want to be a guy that’s embraced by the community, that the community comes to like, a player they like to come watch play games. I want them to understand I’m going to give 100 per cent every night. I’m not going to take nights off. Right now, that’s it. Once the season starts, that type of stuff will develop on its own.

Q: First day of training camp. How different is this from Anaheim?

A: Oh, god. Quite a bit. Just the media side of it, for one, and for all the stuff we do, with videos and photos. It’s night and day.

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